Baby Steps
Baby Steps is a parent education program designed to help parents/caregivers of children from birth to 5 years of age gain a better understanding of child development as well as acquire the skills to raise happy, healthy children. Modeled after the “Baby College® of Harlem,” Baby Steps was established in 2009 through a consortium of educational and social service agencies in Newport. It includes educational sessions on child behavior and positive parenting; communication and language development; developmentally appropriate learning and cognitive development.
The goal of Baby Steps is to ensure that each child, by the age of 5, develops a full and vibrant vocabulary along with social skills that will effectively prepare him/her for pre-K or kindergarten. Another goal of the program is to ensure that parents/caregivers receive the education and support they need during the pivotal first five years of their children’s lives.
The Baby Steps Program currently holds once monthly sessions at Head Start in Newport on a Saturday morning from 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. and Thursday evening from 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. A monthly session for Spanish speaking families is held at Conexion Latina in Newport on Tuesdays from 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Baby Steps is actively enrolling Newport County families with a child/ children aged newborn to 5 years to participate. There are no income requirements. New families that would like to sign up should fill out an intake form. For any questions, contact Cristina Boza, Baby Steps Coordinator, at 401-367-2001, ext. 2226 or email at babysteps@ebcap.org.
People We Serve
Baby Steps serves families with children from birth to 5 years of age, as well as expectant parents. Families throughout Newport County (Newport, Middletown, Portsmouth, Tiverton, Jamestown) are welcome to join our program. Older siblings are always welcomed.
Key Features
Baby Steps helps parents/caregivers understand how their children learn, communicate, and develop. Monthly sessions include:
- Child development instruction that helps parents develop skills to be successful first teachers to their children and to understand how their children learn
- Reading and music sessions
- Fun arts and crafts activities for the whole family to enjoy
- Free books and supplementary diapers and wipes
- Referrals to social services and health care as needed
- Transportation (if needed) to and from each session
Resources for Parents
Offering Field Trip experiences (1-2 per year)
Educational presenters
2023-2024 Baby Steps Monthly Sessions Dates
2023-2024 Fechas de Las Sesiones Mensuales de Baby Steps
Parenting Program Expanded – (Baby Steps Offering Thursday Evening Sessions), Newport This Week, January 17, 2019 – This feature article shares information about Baby Steps and its expansion of services.
Our Turn: Victor Capellan and Lisa Hildebrand: First Three Years Shape Life’s Success – This Providence Journal opinion article tells parents reading to their children from infancy will positively affect their futures, and it gives some practical advice on the subject. -posted November 24, 2018
Location(s) of the Program
Newport, RI 02840 401-367-2001, ext. 2226
*The mailing address is EBCAP 8 John H. Chafee Blvd. Newport, RI 02840
Hours of Operation
All Baby Steps sessions are held from September through May, with Graduation in June for those children in the program that will be attending Kindergarten in September of that year.
Baby Steps families may choose to attend the following sessions:
The Saturday Morning Program is typically held on the 1st Saturday of each month from 9:30-11:00 a.m., with a continental breakfast served upon arrival.
The Thursday Evening Program is typically held on the 3rd Thursday of each month from 5:00-6:30 p.m., and includes a light, child-friendly dinner.
Our Tuesday evening session is for Spanish speaking families at Conexion Latina from 4:30-6:00 p.m. and includes dinner. There is a wait list for this session.
Dates may be subject to change in order to accommodate holiday schedules, so be sure to check the calendar that you will receive in your welcome packet following registration.
Cristina Boza, the Baby Steps Coordinator, is primarily available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and can be reached via email all week at babysteps@ebcap.org. Feel free to call and leave a message at 401-367-2001, ext. 2226 and she will get back to you.
How You Can Enroll
To enroll in the Baby Steps program, please use the following link- https://apply-ebcap-ri.codect.io/registration?appid=9
How You Can Help
We have many opportunities for volunteers, ranging from participation in our Saturday sessions, to helping solicit donations and assisting with administrative work. Those who are interested can contact the Baby Steps Coordinator at 401-367-2001, ext. 2226.
Families who participate in the Baby Steps program do so free of charge. Operating costs are raised through annual board giving, community donations, and grants. Donations are greatly appreciated and can be made online or by mailing a check, payable to East Bay Community Action Program (“Baby Steps” in memo), to: East Bay Community Action Program, Attn: Finance Department, 19 Broadway, Newport, RI 02840.
Thank you!
